Berks Catholic Chases Section 5 Title in Lancaster-Lebanon League

Berks County Football Season Nears Its Conclusion

After countless hours of practice, film study, and meetings, the 2025 Berks County football regular season is set to come to a close this weekend. For many teams, this marks the final chance to make an impression before heading into the playoffs or simply to end their season on a positive note. Every Lancaster-Lebanon squad is guaranteed at least 48 more minutes of football this Friday, with some looking to chase district titles while others aim for a strong finish.

One team with high aspirations is Berks Catholic. The Saints (6-0, 7-2) are determined to not only make a deep playoff run but also capture their first section title since 2018. They will face Annville-Cleona (6-0, 8-1) in a winner-takes-all showdown for the Section 5 title at Forino Sports Complex on Friday night.

“As a team, we’re excited. It’s something we work for all year,” said Saints coach Dave Stahler. “One of our goals is to win the section. It’s exciting that it’s not a clincher; it’s a championship game. Annville-Cleona is unbeaten in the league, too. We’re not scoreboard watching; we’re going to have a real winner.”

Both teams rely heavily on the ground game, with over 85% of their offensive production coming from the run. The Saints have four backs who each rushed for over 500 yards this season: Xavier Gerald (692), Jeremiah Camara (610), Aidan Curley (551), and Coy Koller (525). Together, they’ve combined for 2,378 yards and 24 touchdowns. Their diverse running styles—from ground-and-pound to speedy and elusive—add versatility to the backfield.

The Saints’ success is largely due to their experienced offensive line, which has dominated the league all season. This line has helped the Saints secure six straight league wins while outscoring opponents 237-39.

“We need to limit the turnovers,” Stahler said. “We need to take care of the football on offense. We need to limit penalties, not hurt ourselves, and not make mistakes.”

On the other side, Annville-Cleona has its own playmakers in the backfield, averaging over 260 yards per game on the ground. Devon Englehart and junior Jonathan Moran lead the way, combining for 1,631 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Englehart runs in between the tackles with good leverage, while Moran has outstanding speed that can break big plays if he gets the edge.

“Playing good defense is always about block destruction, and tackling,” Stahler said. “We need to be able to get off of blocks, get to the ball, and tackle. We need to be assignment sound. We need to line up correctly, and we need to be physical and get to the football.”

This game will likely be decided in the trenches, with whichever team shows more grit and dominance at the line of scrimmage taking home the 2025 Section 5 title.

Other Key Games and Playoff Implications

Elsewhere in Berks County, several key games carry District 3 playoff implications. In Section 1, Wilson hosts Manheim Township in a matchup that could determine the section title. The Bulldogs (5-0, 8-1) have a chance to clinch back-to-back Section 1 titles with a win over the Blue Streaks.

In Section 2, Exeter faces Elizabethtown, while Muhlenberg hosts Conestoga Valley. The Eagles (4-1, 7-2) are looking to bounce back after recent losses, and running back Leo Brown is nearing a milestone season, needing just 280 yards to reach 2,000.

For the Muhls (4-1, 8-1), a win over the defending champion Buckskins could earn them a share of the Section 2 title. Cameron Small had a standout performance in a recent win over Academy Park, throwing for 301 yards and four touchdowns.

In Section 4, Daniel Boone heads to Twin Valley, while Wyomissing travels to Lampeter-Strasburg. The Raiders (6-0, 9-0) have put together back-to-back statement wins over section rivals, and they’re all but locked up the section with one more win needed against the Blazers (1-5, 1-8).

Teams on the cusp of qualifying for their respective class playoffs include Schuylkill Valley, traveling to Lancaster Catholic in Section 5, and Gov. Mifflin, hosting Ephrata in Section 2. The Mustangs (1-4, 3-6) and Panthers (4-2, 5-4) are both battling for playoff spots.

In Section 3, Conrad Weiser travels to Unionville, while Fleetwood hosts Cocalico. The Scouts (1-5, 4-5) are on a five-game losing streak, while the Tigers (0-5, 2-7) hope to end their season on a positive note.

In Section 5, Hamburg takes on Columbia, while Kutztown travels to Pequea Valley. The Hawks (1-5, 2-7) struggled on the ground last week, while the Cougars (0-6, 1-8) have a chance to earn their first section win.

Lastly, Reading High hosts Hempfield in Section 1. The Red Knights (1-4, 1-8) have just one win this season, a Week 7 victory over McCaskey.

Schedule for Friday Night Games

Here is the schedule for Friday night games:

• Annville Cleona at Berks Catholic, 7 p.m.
• Conrad Wesier at Unionville, 7 p.m.
• Daniel Boone at Twin Valley, 7 p.m.
• Elizabethtown at Exeter, 7 p.m.
• Fleetwood at Cocalico, 7 p.m.
• Ephrata at Gov. Mifflin, 7 p.m.
• Hamburg at Columbia, 7 p.m.
• Kutztown at Pequea Valley, 7 p.m.
• Conestoga Valley at Muhlenberg, 7 p.m.
• Hempfield at Reading High, 7 p.m.
• Schuylkill Valley at Lancaster Catholic, 7 p.m.
• Manheim Township at Wilson, 7 p.m.
• Wyomissing at Lampeter-Strasburg, 7 p.m.